Last week the Liberal Committee presided over by Mr. Lloyd
George issued its Report on the coal pro- duction and coal consumption of this country (Coal and Power, Hodder and Stoughton, Is. net). Their most striking proposal, perhaps, was for the electrification of, British industries and railways by means of super- power stations in every colliery district. Thus coal may be consumed at the pit head and electricity sent all over the country instead of, as at present, the coal being dragged laboriously for hundreds of miles, and then most wastefully consumed in the domestic grate or in raising steam. Naturally, perhaps, attention has been concentrated on this part of the report, with which, needless to say, we have every sympathy. But we cannot. but feel that it is a pity that more attention has not been directed to the policy put forward for the reorganiza- tion of the coal-mining industry itself.
